Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Tory Troubles

It the Scottish Tories thought their troubles were over once they recovered from the shock announcement that Jimmy Buchan was stepping down as their candidate for the Scottish Parliament election, they were sadly mistaken. Their election campaign has taken a few more knocks in the past few days but I doubt if the majority of the Scottish electorate will be shaken or even gently stirred by the latest events.

More Tory troubles. The above photograph shows David Cameron expounding the wonders of Tory policies to Davena Rankin (Tory candidate) and Annabel Goldie during the Glasgow East by-election campaign.

Ms Rankin, who has stood for the Tories in council, Holyrood and Westminster elections, is said to have decided to leave the party in protest at child benefit cuts. Where's she off to? Join Labour of course. A loss to the Tories but Iain Gray is thrilled by her defection.

“I am delighted to welcome Davena Rankin to the Labour party. Davena joined Labour because she knows we are the party that stands up for ordinary working people now facing the onslaught of Tory cuts.

“People in Scotland are furious at David Cameron’s government. Even people in the past who backed them are appalled at their slash and burn approach to child benefits, tax credits for working parents and local services.

“Every time David Cameron says ‘We’re in this together’ the more people stare in disbelief.”

How anyone can change from Tory to Labour astonishes me although I suspect there is more than a little self interest in her change of heart.

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comments:

Davena Rankin is a union rep so I never understood why she chose to stand for the Conservatives in the first place. One of her union colleagues is a former SSP candidate and a prosecution witness in the Sheridan trial. I wonder how they get on.

What is happening to the main opposition parties in Scottish politics?

With an election impending, you would expect each party to be united and pulling together to win the election.

But no, the Conservative and Labour parties seem to be slowly coming apart at the seams.Neither Grey nor Goldie command total confidence amongst their respective ranks, the murmurs of criticism can be clearly heard, and leadership elections cannot be far away.Equally a number of high profile party members are resigning; standing down; not seeking re-election; spending more time with the family; or whatever.

Ms Rankin appears to have had quite a broad experience of going from job to job with (to my eye)little planned strategy. Her conversion to Labour may be yet another 'taster' experience - not exactly a convincing CV inclusion of commitment, loyalty or reliablity? I'm all for changing your mind based on sound principle but suspicious if the changes appear constant, aimless and self-serving.

Many of us, including myself, have been critical of the SNP appearing to be a little slow to exploit 'Opposition' self-inflicted wounds etc. - but Mr Salmond knows the measure of his opponents and can allow them to knot their own length of rope without additional help. Keeping his powder dry until closer to the election may work if the recent panic and shambles displayed with increasing competence by other parties results in the public - and dare I suggest some in the MSM - are more able to see distinct differences in political party calibre. Mr Salmond has said that the SNP are a party of "incremental progress" perhaps rightly refusing to interrupt his enemies while they continue to make their own mistakes.

I don't think there's anything strange about changing your allegiance from one centre-right unionist party to another centre-right unionist party. There is a precedent after all - Quentin Davies and Shaun Woodward to name but two in recent years.

I think the only party swapping that would raise my eyebrow would be between the SNP and Tories (either direction) or SNP to Labour. Well, perhaps Greens or SSP to Tories as well.

It does seem strange John, especially the standing down of Mt Buchan. He's campaigned up your way for a while then suddenly work gets in the way. Something not quite right there because he had a good chance by all accounts.

She may well be thinking he's talking utter nonsense by the look on her face Jeanne. :)

She reminds me of my P7 teacher, same build and slightly upper class Scots voice. I adored that woman though because she was such a fair person to each and every one of the 35 of us. She saw 34 of us through our 'qualie' exam for entry to secondary school.

The one who didn't pass didn't sit the test because she had been off school over two years after a serious injury in the Wormit train disaster.